Healthcare

Hi,

it's me again -)))

If you have a work permit and pay taxes in Malta you are entitled to the free health service like any Maltese citizen.You will have to consider if you are ok with that standard. It might be worthwhile considering an extra private insurance that gives you better coverage and is not too expensive. My friend is from the US and has both - state and private insurance so that she can go to any doc if she wants and pass in the bill. Otherwise you have to go to the public health centers if you are sick and wait your turn.

If you pay taxes and into social security you are even entitled to a Maltese pension if you work here long enough .

Feel free to ask for more specific details.

Regards

Ricky

Thanks again :-)

Hi Ricky, I'm Barrie living in England at the moment. I read your answer you wrote for the lady from Canada. I would like to ask you if you could recommend or know of any private health care insurance companies in Malta? I would be grateful for any information. Thank you in anticipation.

Regards, Barrie.

Even if you don't have Private Health Insurance and are qualified to use the free Health System, you can still pay to go private- that's what we do and were recommended to do by our Maltese friends...it is quite affordable to do it that way...the choice is yours...and you can do both/either at the same time - for example, I need a specialist and I have been recommended to select one that does both private and free work, there will be a wait to be seen under the free plan, but I can pay and see him almost immediately under the private plan (with no health insurance)...so I am doing both...I have an appointment in the future (free) that will be regularly scheduled (free) but my first appointment will be private (pay) so that I can see him very soon.

Private Health Insurance - be aware that they exclude pre-existing conditions...at least the ones I have looked at do.

That is what we do too ! The costs of going private are very reasonable but, as Tim said,

you need a basic national  or private insurance to qualify to apply for residency in Malta if you stay for more than 3 months or apply for a work permit and to cover the costs of expensive treatments or emergencies.

We are insured with Atlas healthcare.So far they were good but we didn't need them that much.I'm sure other companies are good too.

Ricky

I asked for a quote with Alas health care, I'm to old! So, I went to the insurance company (Insureandgo) I use for my normal holidays, they came with a price of just under £200. Do you think this is reasonable?

Barrie

Hi Barrie,

depends what they cover !If it gives you a complete coverage(except pre-existing conditions)it sounds reasonable.Sounds like a travel insurance with limitations.

If you are registered with the National Health Service in the UK you can get the EHIC in England and free health care in Malta.

Are you planning to move to Malta permantly?

Ricky

Hi Riky,

I'm planning to stay in Malta for a year at first. I have been a few times and I loved it, but of course living there will be a different as opposed to a holiday.

I do have a EHIC card but I'm not sure what sort of treatment I would get. When I do decide to move I will have become a senior citizen! I don't know what sort of effect that will have, (Would I get a free Zimmer frame!) if any? I shall be shopping about for more quotes.

Barrie

Hi Barry,

as far as I know if you receive a UK pension it entitles you to the same free health care the Maltese get.You just have to apply for a certain form in the UK.

And when you move abroad you can keep your health care entitlement from the UK for up to 2 1/2 years(E 106).

You can then supplement this with a private Maltese insurance or pay yourself for private treatment.Fees are quite reasonable here in Malta.

If you have the basic coverage most private health insurers give you a rebate.

Check your coverage with NHS.

Ricky

Thanks for that Ricky, you've been really helpful.

Barrie